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  1. Niwaki Blue Steel Higonokami Folding Knife from Kanekoma
  2. Niwaki Blue Steel Higonokami Folding Knife with Knife Sheath sold separately
  1. Niwaki Blue Steel Higonokami Folding Knife from Kanekoma
  2. Niwaki Blue Steel Higonokami Folding Knife with Knife Sheath sold separately

Niwaki Blue Steel Higonokami Folding Knife

Traditional Japanese folding pocket knife from Kanekoma, with a brass handle and beautiful hand-forged 3" folded Hitachi Aogami Blue Steel blade.

More Information

No locking device, no corkscrew, not even tweezers…just one wickedly sharp and sturdy blade that folds into an attractive brass handle. Starts off shiny but soon mellows to a lovely rich patina.

Why Blue Steel? The addition of a little chromium to the mix increases the “kirenaga” of the blade, which is to say it will stay sharp for longer.

Comes in a nice soft card box, with a heavy duty leather belt sheath as an option. A great stocking filler.

Tips

    A general purpose pocket knife that’s easy to sharpen, easy to clean and great fun to use. For everything from opening letters and boxes to whittling.

    • Quite a stiff action that loosens with time, and can be retightened with a sharp rap on the rivet with a hammer. • Try sharpening these with Shapton Whetstones - you’ll be amazed.
    • The leather sheath is highly recommended to prevent the lever tip poking into you when you carry it in your pocket.
    More about Niwaki higo knives

    The Niwaki Higo knives are hand made by Kanekoma, 5th generation knife makers in Miki, down in Hyogo Prefecture. Founded in 1894, early knives were called higonokami because a lot of customers were from Kumamoto, an area previously known as Higo. In 1910 the name was registered, and only makers in the Miki region could use it, and Kanekoma are now the last of those makers.

    In an industry known for hanging on to traditions, their factory is one the most traditional we’ve come across - which means small, dark and cluttered!

    The very last Higonokami workshop

    Higonokami knife making

    Delivering to US (Paying in USD) Edit

    Niwaki Blue Steel Higonokami Folding KnifeFree delivery for orders over $100.00 (excluding any surcharges if applicable, and any applicable customs taxes for non GB deliveries)Add to Wishlist / Save for later
    Niwaki Blue Steel Higonokami Folding Knife + Leather SheathFree delivery for orders over $100.00 (excluding any surcharges if applicable, and any applicable customs taxes for non GB deliveries)Add to Wishlist / Save for later
    Knife Sheath
    • 1.1oz
    • 3.9 x 1.6 x 0.9"
    • 3mm Leather
    • Made in China
    • In Stock - Available to dispatch worldwide, contact us for showroom stock availability
    Niwaki Blue Steel Higonokami Folding Knife
    • 1.7oz
    • 6.7 x 0.2 x 0.7"
    • 4.3" folded length
    • 2.8" blades
    • Aogami Blue Paper Steel
    • Made in Japan
    • In Stock - Available to dispatch worldwide, contact us for showroom stock availability
    Global Delivery
    • Free delivery for orders over £/$/€100*
    • Price depends on location - adjust the COUNTRY tab in your basket to see the price.
    • We use DHL, FedEx, or UPS, and we’ll email you the tracking info.

    *Customs fees may apply and are estimated during checkout. Surcharges may apply to some larger or heavier items to some areas.
    * Please note Niwaki are not responsible for any import duty, taxes or fees incurred and these will be will be collected by our courier during customs clearance — For EU countries, when possible DHL will provide an estimate on the order confirmation page.

    Caring For Your Tools

    Most of our sharp tools are made from carbon steel - this means they may, through regular use, stain (and eventually rust) and gradually lose their edge. Caring for them involves three things…

    1. Correct Use:

    • Japanese steel is hard and sharp, and can be more brittle than some people are used to - it will chip if abused
    • Do not cut wire, metal, stone, plastic or any other hard material (even bamboo fibres and some very hard woods, especially knots and burrs, can damage steel edges)
    • Do not twist or apply uneven pressure
    • Cut diagonally across branches (not straight across) so you cut along the fibres
    • Pay attention to our maximum cut dimensions, and don’t overdo it (shears are not loppers)
    • Use the base of the blades, not the tips, for heavier cuts

    2. Keeping Them Clean:

    • Remove leaf resin, rust and gunk with a Clean Mate and water
    • Dry, wipe over with Camellia oil and store in a dry place

    3. Keeping Them Sharp:

    New tools won’t need sharpening for some time, but after a while you’ll notice them gradually lose their edge, especially if you’re box clipping (you need REALLY sharp blades to get a good finish with box). Use the Niwaki Sharpening Stones for best results (#1000 grit is best for general sharpening).

    • Sharpen Secateurs every couple of weeks
    • Sharpen Shears and Topiary Clippers EVERY TIME you use them - the difference is amazing
    Spares & Accessories
    Essentials